Passion, Humor And High Expectations Spell Success

Education: Northwestern University and Salem State Teachers College, bachelor's degree in early childhood education

Years teaching: 22

Q. What is your teaching style?

A. I teach with passion and humor. I am nurturing, yet also have high goals for my students. I adore my job, so I approach learning as enjoyable and exciting. As a facilitator, I allow my students' curiosity to drive the curriculum and thereby allow them to play an active role in their education.

Q. How do your personal values affect your teaching?

A. I believe I have to model values to be an effective educator. Young people can see through facades. I encourage students to appreciate and value the feelings of others and the importance of taking responsibility for what they say and do. I maintain clear expectations for positive interaction, coupled with fair, consistent discipline, affection and respect. The children are going to learn to read and do math; I need to help them become responsible, independent, compassionate people with a strong self-image and a sense of humor.

Q. What is your proudest moment as a teacher?

A. Teaching young children is a veritable feast of special moments. Last summer, I received a call from a student who, after checking out his movie theatre ticket, wanted to know if "admit" was a homonym. This year, a mother of one of my students told me her daughter was patiently teaching her 4-year-old brother to read, saying "just slide the sounds together," just as I told her to do. This sums it up: When asked by her parents why she likes kindergarten, my student replied: "Because Ms. Cole loves me."

Q. What is your biggest teaching challenge?

A. You want to challenge children, but you don't want to frustrate them. Some children have a perfectionist streak and I want them to learn to take a chance, to take a risk. It's the process, not always the product. I set up a safe environment and they learn, "I can say this and it will be OK." That's how you develop creativity.

Q. What have your students taught you?

A. My students have taught me that no goal is too high. If you give them the moon, they will reach for the highest star. They have taught me to listen more and talk less, to be flexible and, above all, they have taught me that I hold a very precious commodity in my hands and have an enormous responsibility.

Q. Will you still be teaching 10 years from now?

A. I wake up each morning eager to get to work. My day is spent with curious, self-motivated children, dedicated co-workers and administrators and supportive parents. I will be teaching until the nursing-home attendants come and drag me away, or Prince Charming, maybe.

If you want to recommend a teacher for Teacher Profile, contact Education Writer Lois Solomon at 561-243-6536 or lsolomon@sun-sentinel.com.